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What We're Reading: COVID-19 Reinfection in US; Remdesivir Use Expanded; Colon Cancer Screening
The Unites States has its first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection; the FDA expands emergency use of remdesivir; experts lower the age for initial screening of colorectal cancer.
Researchers Find First Reported Reinfection of COVID-19 in US
As questions linger surrounding the level of protection antibodies provide against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for those previously infected, researchers detail the first US case of an individual getting reinfected with the virus. Reported by The Hill, a 25-year-old man from Nevada is said to have been reinfected with COVID-19 in late May after recovering from a mild case in April. The second occurrence resulted in a much more severe case for which the patient had to be hospitalized and on oxygen. This US case adds to reports of reinfections worldwide from Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Emergency Use of Remdesivir Expanded to All Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19
On Friday, the FDA announced it is expanding emergency use of Gilead Science’s remdesivir to all hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to Barron’s. Previously provided to the sickest patients with COVID-19, the FDA believes that the drug can be effective among all hospitalized patients, even though evidence remains limited on its effectiveness. The agency notes that potential benefits would outweigh known and potential risks, with several studies showing promising, yet uncertain results.
Experts Recommend Earlier Screening for Colorectal Cancer
In the wake of "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death from colon cancer at the age of 43, The New York Times spotlighted what is known and what experts recommend on those affected by this diagnosis. Although the majority of cases are found in older people, there has been an increase among younger people in recent years. As the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, colorectal cancer is typically screened for at age 45, but experts recommend that those with a family history of the condition be tested at age 40 or at 10 years younger than the age at which their family member received their diagnosis.
Urticaria Diagnosis Challenged by Overlapping Pruritic Skin Conditions
April 23rd 2025Urticaria is complicated to diagnose by its symptomatic overlap with other skin conditions and the frequent misclassification in literature of distinct pathologies like vasculitic urticaria and bullous pemphigus.
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New Research Challenges Assumptions About Hospital-Physician Integration, Medicare Patient Mix
April 22nd 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Brady Post, PhD, lead author of a study published in the April 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®, challenges the claim that hospital-employed physicians serve a more complex patient mix.
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Personalized Care Key as Tirzepatide Use Expands Rapidly
April 15th 2025Using commercial insurance claims data and the US launch of tirzepatide as their dividing point, John Ostrominski, MD, Harvard Medical School, and his team studied trends in the use of both glucose-lowering and weight-lowering medications, comparing outcomes between adults with and without type 2 diabetes.
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ACOs’ Focus on Rooting Out Fraud Aligns With CMS Vision Under Oz
April 23rd 2025Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are increasingly playing the role of data sleuths as they identify and report trends of anomalous billing in hopes of salvaging their shared savings. This mission dovetails with that of CMS, which under the new administration plans to prioritize rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse.
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